Today’s tea is hot, everyone.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley defended new head coach Doc Rivers on Twitter after J.J. Redick accused the coach of a total lack of accountability.
Redick is familiar with Rivers, having spent four years under his tutelage as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite his friendliness, or perhaps because of it, Redick slammed Rivers during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday.
“I’ve seen that trend for years. Trends always make excuses,” Reddick exclaimed.
“Doctor, I understand. It’s hard to take over a team in the middle of a season. But it’s always an excuse. It always ends up throwing the team under the bus. They lose to Memphis. Oh, it’s the players’ fault…Memphis was playing G League players and two-way players. ” Reddick continued.
JJ Redick calls out his replacement, former head coach Doc Rivers, during ESPN/ABC’s NBA Finals broadcast.
“I’ve seen that trend for years. Trends always make excuses. Doctor, I get it. It’s hard to take over a team in the middle of a season…it’s always an excuse. pic.twitter.com/NeTGnP1Suw
— Terrible announcement (@awfulpayment) February 20, 2024
“So let’s take a look at his quotes from the weekend. Does he now want to take credit for trading James Harden to the Clippers and working out?” Does he want to take credit for that? That man is never responsible.”
Rivers is one of the most polarizing coaches in the NBA, coming under fire for seemingly blaming his players for a recent loss to the depleted Memphis Grizzlies.
Although he has a long and storied history as the head coach of numerous high-profile teams, he is now nearly 16 years removed from his only championship with the Boston Celtics.
Rivers had come under fire in his past two jobs, first with the Clippers and most recently with the Philadelphia 76ers, so when the Bucks chose to fire their head coach midway through the season and bring in Rivers in his place. Many people questioned the move.
I myself said, “This might be the worst hire in NBA history.”
But Rivers isn’t without his defenders, and Bucks guard Patrick Beverley defended his captain on Twitter. (Related article: ‘A bunch of homeless scammers’: NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley crushes rapidly declining Democratic-run city)
“This Man Doctor actually saved your career. Started you when no one wanted 2. And then you retire and go on TV and say it.” Beverley tweeted at Reddick Tuesday afternoon.
This man doctor actually saved your career. Started you when no one wanted 2. And you retire and go on TV and say it. @jj_redick
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) February 20, 2024
Redick was quick to react, tweeting back: “I was offered four years with a player option for the same amount as a starter on another team. FOH ‘saved my career.'”
Pat my guy, I had a four year offer with a player option for the same amount of money to be a starter on another team. FOH “saved my career.” https://t.co/5lXowm2j8e
— JJ Redick (@jj_redick) February 20, 2024
Redick’s impassioned speech sounded like it was born out of personal frustration with his former coach, and I totally understand. As a Clippers fan, I remember a good regular season and a miserable postseason collapse.
Beverly herself must know that feeling all too well. He was a member of the 2019-2020 team. folded They then lost a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.
That effort ultimately cost Rivers his job with the Clippers.
